Dr. Douglas B. Moreland, a neurosurgeon at UBNS and professor of neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo, recently shed light on Buffalo’s rich legacy of medical innovation in an article for the Buffalo News.
In the editorial, Dr. Moreland discusses Buffalo’s role in developing two major innovations in neurosurgery: stereotaxic navigation and endovascular treatment.
“What the average neurosurgeon will not know is who invented these two Nobel-worthy developments and where they did it,” Dr. Moreland wrote. “The ‘who’ are Patrick Kelly and L. Nelson Hopkins. The ‘where’ is Buffalo.”
In his piece, he explores how Buffalo has become a hub for groundbreaking advancements in these areas, significantly transforming patient care and shaping the discipline’s future.
Showcasing Innovation at CNS
The advancements Dr. Moreland refers to in his article were showcased during the 2024 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) meeting that was held earlier this month in Houston, Texas.
During CNS, Dr. Elad Levy and Dr. Adnan Siddiqui performed a live procedure at the Atlas Surgery Center, demonstrating the pipeline vantage embolization of a life-threatening right cavernous carotid artery aneurysm. The procedure was live-streamed to CNS attendees in Houston, one of several case presentations.
The presentation highlighted cutting-edge technology, including the Siemens Artis Q Biplane, which maximizes visualization while minimizing radiation exposure, and Vantage Shield technology, a fourth-generation advancement.
“It took 18 minutes and it was perfect,” Dr. Moreland noted in his article. “The patient was awake and conversational throughout and left Atlas before sunset. Twenty years ago, this treatment would once have involved 6-8 hours open surgery and days or weeks in the ICU and hospital, with almost certain morbidity.”
Looking Ahead
As Buffalo maintains its leadership in neurosurgical innovation, we remain committed to furthering research and development to improve patient outcomes. The region’s legacy of pioneering work promises to influence the future of neurosurgery, improve patient care, and inspire the next generation of medical professionals.
For more insights, read Dr. Moreland’s full article here.